Chatbox app is back on the US app store

#1

Post by themez » Sat, Sep 13, 2025, 2:13 AM UTC

Chatbox app is back on the US app store
github.com

Re: Chatbox app is back on the US app store

#2

Post by yosito » Sat, Sep 13, 2025, 2:56 AM UTC

Based on the marketing page and App Store page, I can't really tell what sets this apart from ChatGPT. It looks like essentially the same thing, with a slightly different UI. What features does it have that add value over ChatGPT?

Re: Chatbox app is back on the US app store

#3

Post by esseph » Sat, Sep 13, 2025, 3:01 AM UTC

You know what I just realized?

I couldn't tell you the last time I installed a new app on my phone.

Everything there is mostly out to exploit me, or a direct security liability regardless of what app store.

Re: Chatbox app is back on the US app store

#4

Post by rd07 » Sat, Sep 13, 2025, 3:03 AM UTC

yosito wrote: post #2

Based on the marketing page and App Store page, I can't really tell what sets this apart from ChatGPT. It looks like essentially the same thing, with a slightly different UI. What features does it have that add value over ChatGPT?

Chatbox is basically a client for various LLM. It can even connect to locally hosted LLM on Ollama.

Re: Chatbox app is back on the US app store

#5

Post by TheDong » Sat, Sep 13, 2025, 3:22 AM UTC

esseph wrote: post #3

You know what I just realized? I couldn't tell you the last time I installed a new app on my phone. Everything there is mostly out to exploit me, or a direct security liability regardless of what app store.

> Everything there is mostly out to exploit me, or a direct security liability regardless of what app store.

As a shining bright light of hope, I will list some apps I have installed which do not appear to me to fall into those buckets.

1. Anki - Flash cards app, I can memorize stuff. It's really good.

2. KDE Connect - Zero exploitation, open source, even sorta works

3. Peakfinder - So far this app has seemed okay. "I programmed PeakFinder during the day and danced Tango during the night" - Peakfinder's creator

Also, about 70% of the apps on F-Droid https://f-droid.org/ are fine. This is what I miss most about android.

I do think that by percentage more of the iOS apps are exploitative crap or full of ads, probably because you need to pay $100/year for the app to keep existing at all.

One of tricks to get fewer exploitative apps is to avoid iPhone and never install anything that needs google play services.

Also, delete any app that has an ad instantly unless it's really important.

Re: Chatbox app is back on the US app store

#6

Post by Groxx » Sat, Sep 13, 2025, 4:14 AM UTC

TheDong wrote: post #5

esseph wrote: post #3

You know what I just realized? I couldn't tell you the last time I installed a new app on my phone. Everything there is mostly out to exploit me, or a direct security liability regardless of what app store.

> Everything there is mostly out to exploit me, or a direct security liability regardless of what app store. As a shining bright light of hope, I will list some apps I have installed which do not appear to me to fall into those buckets. 1. Anki - Flash cards app, I can memorize stuff. It's really good. 2. KDE Connect - Zero exploitation, open source, even sorta works 3. Peakfinder - So far this app has seemed okay. "…

>This is what I miss most about android.

oh don't worry, Google is trying to kill that too. you won't have to miss Android soon. https://developer.android.com/developer-verification discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45017028

Re: Chatbox app is back on the US app store

#7

Post by higginsniggins » Sat, Sep 13, 2025, 4:45 AM UTC

rd07 wrote: post #4

yosito wrote: post #2

Based on the marketing page and App Store page, I can't really tell what sets this apart from ChatGPT. It looks like essentially the same thing, with a slightly different UI. What features does it have that add value over ChatGPT?

Chatbox is basically a client for various LLM. It can even connect to locally hosted LLM on Ollama.

how is this different then t3chat?

Re: Chatbox app is back on the US app store

#8

Post by PlunderBunny » Sat, Sep 13, 2025, 5:03 AM UTC

esseph wrote: post #3

You know what I just realized? I couldn't tell you the last time I installed a new app on my phone. Everything there is mostly out to exploit me, or a direct security liability regardless of what app store.

I had the same realisation about game app specifically - in the early days of the App Store, I’d buy several games a year, and play dozens more free games. I can’t remember the last game I bought.

Re: Chatbox app is back on the US app store

#9

Post by viraptor » Sat, Sep 13, 2025, 5:30 AM UTC

higginsniggins wrote: post #7

rd07 wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Chatbox is basically a client for various LLM. It can even connect to locally hosted LLM on Ollama.

how is this different then t3chat?

t3chat doesn't have a mobile app.

Re: Chatbox app is back on the US app store

#10

Post by macintux » Sat, Sep 13, 2025, 5:34 AM UTC

esseph wrote: post #3

You know what I just realized? I couldn't tell you the last time I installed a new app on my phone. Everything there is mostly out to exploit me, or a direct security liability regardless of what app store.

I experienced deja vu today when an upcoming festival’s website encouraged me to install a custom app for the event on my phone. Felt very 2010(ish).